Pathways Murder Trial: Father Questioned About Daughter and Kevin Smith

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The father of Pathways International murder victim Taneka Gardner told the Home Circuit Court that he was unaware of any relationship between his daughter and the church’s late pastor, Kevin Smith.

Gardner’s father was responding to questions during cross-examination in the murder trial of Andrew Ruddock, who is accused of killing her during an alleged sacrificial ritual at the Pathways church in St James in October 2021.

Defence attorney Venice Brown suggested that Gardner and Smith had been in a relationship, but her father denied having any knowledge of this.

The witness also told the court that he was unaware that his daughter had any medical condition.

Gardner, 39, was a member of Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries, which was led by Smith. Her body was found at the church following the October 17, 2021 incident. Another man, Michael Brown, was also found dead on the church premises.

Gardner’s father testified that he was notified of her death the following day and later identified her body at a funeral home. He said he observed a slash across her throat and was subsequently informed during the post-mortem that the injury caused her death.

Smith died about a week after the incident in a motor vehicle crash while being transported to Kingston to face charges arising from the case.

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